Transcript Highlights:

• Eagle Pass is in Maverick County.
• And the connection between Maverick County and Webb County as we talk about border security.
• County, one of my 16 counties. Thank you gentlemen for coming and we appreciate you so very much.
• I'll take you down to my counties and you can go talk to my county. I'd be happy to.
• To ask a question of the author.

Bills: SB2, SJR36, SB2, SB2, SR29, SB2

Keywords: Maverick County, recognition, economic development, Texas Senate, community celebration, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• and portions of Atascosa Comal and Medina counties Bexar County has wide-ranging elevations from 500
• and fund the coastal water authority.
• County River Authority, and I have been here for 14 years.
• County up to hunt county where the reservoir where the river basin starts.
• Economic growth in Orange County all the way up to Hunt County and Sabine. Trent's County, St.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• If you think about a courthouse example, I will use Bollinger County, which is a county next to Cape
• If you think about a courthouse example, I will use Bollinger County, which is a county next to Cape
• We're in the fourth district, the largest district in the state, six counties and two pieces of counties
• I rode with a woman in Scotland County one day.
• Madam Chairman, I'm on behalf of the Missouri Association of Counties.

Summary: The Committee on Economic Development met in executive session and first approved House Committee Substitute for House Bill 2151 by a vote of 11-0. The substitute removed CPI language so the measure would not allow a year-over-year increase, and the committee then voted the bill do pass. The committee then heard House Bill 2474, which would add progressive design-build as another procurement option for municipalities and other local political subdivisions. The sponsor and supporters said it would give local governments more flexibility, speed, and cost control on major projects by allowing a collaborative, multi-stage process before final pricing is set; no one testified in opposition, and the hearing was closed without a vote. The committee next heard House Bill 2693, a port authority bill that the sponsor described as clarifying port authority creation, districts, operations, and partnerships while preserving limits on state liability. Testimony from Port KC and the Missouri Port Authority Association focused on public safety needs, including authority for port rangers with arrest powers in Kansas City’s port district, board appointment and removal provisions, and the need to keep ports competitive for development. Questions also touched on labor standards, housing authority funding, and whether the bill affected data centers; the hearing ended without opposition testimony. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 1716, which would create a Department of Economic Development grant program for rural workforce housing through nonprofit regional partners. The sponsor and Northeast Missouri witnesses said the program is already working in northeast Missouri through a revolving fund, with homes built and sold at cost to help attract and retain workers such as teachers, nurses, and tradespeople; supporters from housing, business, utility, and economic development groups backed the bill, while one witness opposed government involvement in housing. Committee members questioned eligibility, nonprofit-only administration, local contractor use, affordability, and whether the program could crowd out private builders. The sponsor said an amendment would be needed before a vote, and the committee adjourned after the hearing without taking final action on HB 1716 or HB 2693.

Transcript Highlights:

• Maybe I need to come to Pinellas County and ask you.
• , and South Bay like basically his hometown, like in Pinellas County.
• And lastly, you know, I represent Palm Beach County.
• And Palm Beach County is a better county today because of your love for Palm Beach County.
• The union, I think, in Lee County.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair, Chris McKayley here on behalf of the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority.
• Andrew Shane, on behalf of the County Welfare Directors Association.
• Ryan Moore, Muni, with the California State Association of Counties.
• Without funding, an alternative to indigent care, counties will be forced to cut core services, as county
• Second, on behalf of the Urban Counties of California, the rural county representatives of California

Summary: The Assembly Budget Committee met to consider the final three-party agreement for the 2026-27 state budget and 19 implementing bills, including two budget bill juniors and 17 trailer bills. Committee leadership and administration officials described the budget as a balanced plan that reduces out-year structural deficits, maintains large reserves, and makes major investments in health care, education, housing, child care, public safety, and other core services while also responding to expected federal cuts and fiscal uncertainty. The Department of Finance outlined the package’s major components, including Medi-Cal adjustments, education funding increases, higher education changes, child care and human services updates, housing and homelessness funding, energy and transportation provisions, and tax and general government changes. Members asked questions about several provisions, including CSU enrollment targets and turnaround plans, the Prop. 98 settle-up mechanism, the plastics market development payment program, housing accountability measures, NextGen 9-1-1 implementation, and veteran services. Staff and administration witnesses explained that the higher education language is intended to improve campus-by-campus reporting and oversight, that Prop. 98 settle-up would be finalized later through the statutory certification process, and that NextGen 9-1-1 now includes one-time funding, quarterly reporting, an independent technical review, and a state audit. Members also discussed the HAP homelessness funding increase to $900 million and the balance between accountability and timely distribution of funds. The most extended exchange centered on comparisons between funding for veterans and Medi-Cal/immigrant health coverage. Republican members argued the budget spends far more on undocumented immigrant services than on veterans, while Democratic members and Finance staff responded that the comparison was misleading because many veterans’ services are federally funded and the state budget also includes dedicated veteran support. The chair and other members emphasized that the budget reflects difficult tradeoffs and that the package protects vulnerable populations, preserves health care access, and advances affordability. No final vote was described in the excerpt, but members indicated support for the overall package and said they would support it on the floor.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> provide spending authority to this body. provide spending authority to this body.
• </c> that county. that county.
• to authorize interpreted to authorize unconstitutional<04:06:26.560><c> takings.
• </c> County while I was a county County while I was a county commissioner.<05:22:49.280><c> Uh</c><05
• </c> utilities commission any new authority. utilities commission any new authority.

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• State Senator David Gallegos from Eddie and Lee County.
• I'm going to start with the Mortgage Finance Authority (MFA) first.
• I am the lead staff attorney for the New Mexico Finance Authority.
• These include the Border Authority, the Colonial Infrastructure Board, the Spaceport Authority, among
• I just have three counties, but within that county are lots of villages and political subdivisions that

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> counties need something. counties need something.
• from Dakota County, from Hennepin County, from St.
• from Dakota County, from Hennepin County, from St.
• County, again in Hennepin County, again in St.
• County, again in Hennepin County, again in St.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• It's really centered around Gaines County. and those surrounding counties, but we've also identified
• We're also working with El Paso, Tarrant County, and Bexar County to bring up measles testing. in their
• And you can see that some of the counties are shaded in blue and some of the counties are remain white
• And what that shows is the counties that are shaded in blue actually are covered by a lower counties.
• As noted, there are 37 local mental health authorities, two local behavioral health authorities, and

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So appreciate the author.
• Well, I want to thank the author.
• We've let the author know.
• Justin Paddock, on behalf of the Orange County Fire Authority, in respectful opposition.
• I am a proud co-author.

Summary: The committee heard several bills focused on AI, privacy, and surveillance. SB 903 would prohibit AI from independently providing psychotherapy or presenting itself as a licensed mental health provider, require disclosure and informed consent, and reinforce confidentiality and privacy protections for therapy records. Supporters, including a mother and therapist whose son died by suicide after extensive chats with ChatGPT, argued the bill is needed to prevent harmful, crisis-related interactions. Behavioral health groups and labor/privacy organizations supported the measure, while TechNet, the California Medical Association, and the California Hospital Association opposed unless amended, saying the bill could restrict useful clinical tools and create conflicts around triage, screening, and data use. The committee passed SB 903 4-0 to Appropriations, with members noting the need for further work on definitions and implementation. SB 1119 would create a broader framework for chatbot safety for children, including annual risk assessments, crisis response protocols, default child protections, parental controls, notice and time limits, restrictions on advertising and use of children’s data, incident reporting, audits, and a private right of action. The author and supporters again cited the death of Adam Raine as evidence that chatbots can reinforce suicidal ideation and isolate children. Common Sense Media and several labor and privacy groups supported the bill. CalChamber, TechNet, the California State Sheriffs’ Association, and other industry and local government groups opposed unless amended, raising concerns about vague standards, overlap with SB 243, prescriptive design mandates, and litigation risk. The committee approved SB 1119 4-0 to Judiciary, with amendments to be taken there. The committee also heard SB 1013, which would tighten rules for automated license plate reader data by requiring DOJ audits, employee training, and a 30-day retention limit for most data. Supporters said the bill responds to documented misuse and over-retention of data that mostly belongs to innocent drivers. Law enforcement groups opposed, arguing the retention limit would hinder investigations and reduce the usefulness of ALPRs in serious or delayed cases. The bill passed 4-1 to Appropriations. SB 1292, a local control bill for six cities, would allow camera or sensor-based enforcement of curb and loading zones, with a human reviewing each violation before issuance. Supporters said it would help cities manage congestion and unsafe blocking of bike lanes and loading zones; privacy advocates warned about expanding automated surveillance. It passed 4-1 to Appropriations. Finally, the committee heard SB 1101, which would require higher education institutions to notify students, faculty, and staff when personal information is shared with federal agencies and limit disclosure to what is legally required. Supporters framed it as a transparency and anti-doxing measure in response to recent federal investigations and subpoenas; there was no opposition testimony. The bill passed 5-0 to Appropriations. The committee then began hearing SB 951, the California Worker Technological Displacement Act, which would require advance notice and reporting when employers displace workers due to technology and give displaced workers priority for openings, but the transcript cuts off before the hearing concluded.

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> the</c><00:03:48.440><c> killing</c> Amends the law authorizing the killing Amends the law authorizing
• So I would strongly public authority.
• We suggest that language in Maui County.
• ,</c><00:09:24.000><c> that</c> little fire ants in Maui County, that little fire ants in Maui County
• ,</c><00:21:49.720><c> state,</c> in harmony, city, county, state, in harmony, city, county, state, public-private

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The AEN hearing on March 14, 2025 reviewed several agriculture, biosecurity, animal, and climate-related measures, but the chair announced at the outset that the committee would not have decision-making that day because quorum was not expected. Decision-making for the full agenda was rescheduled to Monday, March 17, 2025 at 1:02 p.m. in room 224. Testimony was limited to one minute per speaker. Measures heard included HB 48 HD2 on coffee labeling and regional origin, HB 782 HD1 creating a Department of Agriculture working group to review obsolete agricultural laws, HB 980 HD1 on mongoose and feral chicken control, and HB 1237 HD1 appropriating funds for agricultural biosecurity and invasive species work in Maui County. The Department of Agriculture supported HB 48, HB 782, and HB 1237, and several industry and conservation groups testified in support of the first two. HB 980 drew strong opposition from Pono Advocacy and the Hawaiian Humane Society, who argued it raised animal cruelty and public health concerns, especially during H5N1 risks; the measure also had support from agriculture-related groups. HB 1237 received broad support, with witnesses asking for language changes to broaden coverage to additional invasive species and to better support Maui Invasive Species Committee work on little fire ants and other pests. The committee also heard SCR 88/SR 71 on a microbial algae soil products pilot program, SCR 91/SR 74 on self-defense law changes for agricultural communities, SCR 93/SR 76 on integrating indigenous knowledge into climate policy, SCR 94/SR 77 on Maui axis deer control and venison, and SCR 103/SR 84 on a PFAS working group. Testimony on SCR 91/SR 74 came largely from ranching and agricultural interests in support, citing trespass, poaching, and safety concerns. SCR 93/SR 76 drew support from a Native Hawaiian testifier and others who emphasized stewardship, intergenerational planning, and climate resilience. SCR 94/SR 77 and SCR 103/SR 84 also received support, including from the Department of Agriculture and the Honolulu Board of Water Supply on the PFAS measure. No votes were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• And the bill authorizes any depository who is set up for that type of investment.
• Cities, counties, and homeowners associations retain their authority to regulate sanitary conditions,
• If a city or county already allows more hens, those rules continue to apply.
• They were not provided the budget authority to include new construction.
• A couple of counties decided to keep those fees and interest funds.

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, offered prayer and pledge, approved the journal, and received several communications, including substitute legislator designations and gubernatorial appointments to the Idaho Lottery Commission and State Building Authority. Members also made brief announcements and introductions before moving into committee reports and the day’s floor calendar. The chamber advanced a number of bills and resolutions through reading and referral, including measures on the Idaho Child Care Program, Health and Human Services appropriations, elections, development impact fees, hazardous waste, and several House concurrent resolutions and joint memorials. On final consideration, the Senate passed Senate Bill 1285 on occupational licensure for nonpublic school diplomas, Senate Bill 1286 on consumer protections for veterans benefits, Senate Bill 1323 on enforcement of contracts involving gold and silver specie, Senate Bill 1338 on allowing a portion of idle state funds to be invested in gold and silver bullion, and Senate Bill 1342 establishing a limited right for households to keep hens for egg production. The Senate also passed House Bill 531 updating epinephrine delivery system language for schools, House Bill 518 expanding authority for the Attorney General in human trafficking cases, House Bill 512 reinstating an open-book jurisprudence exam for land surveyors, House Bill 551 correcting urban renewal-related property tax treatment for fire and ambulance districts, House Bill 594 codifying a Supreme Court ruling on distribution of late property tax fees and interest, and House Bill 587 clarifying continuous funding for rangeland improvement programs. Debate on several measures included concerns about local control, continuous spending, and oversight, but each bill ultimately received majority support. The Senate reordered the third-reading calendar and then adjourned until Monday, March 9, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:44:43.040><c> County</c><00:44:43.320><c> Clerk's</c> office to Maui County County Clerk's office
• This measure authorizes counties to require contractors to disclose employee wage, benefit, hour, and
• </c> the proper authorities and channels. So. the proper authorities and channels. So.
• ,</c> county, the prosecutor from each county, county, the prosecutor from each county, as<01:17:35.840
• </c> &gt;&gt; to what the counties already do. &gt;&gt; to what the counties already do.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee began with resolutions HCR 93 and HR 85, which ask the Hawaii State Commission on the Status of Women, in collaboration with the Department of the Attorney General, to form a working group and report on ways to strengthen protections for survivors of image-based sexual abuse. The Attorney General’s office said it could support the effort as legal counsel to the commission but preferred not to be an active working-group member, and suggested the Legislative Reference Bureau could instead conduct a nationwide study for stakeholders. The Commission on the Status of Women supported the resolutions but urged broader scope to include prevention and intervention, expanded stakeholder membership, keeping the Attorney General involved, and adjusting the report deadline. Testimony in support also came from the Emoa Alliance, which emphasized the prevalence and harms of image-based abuse and the need for stronger protections. Members asked questions about current criminal and civil remedies, reporting barriers, and whether the commission could administer the effort without the Attorney General; no votes were taken on the resolutions during the excerpted discussion. The committee then heard HCR 113 and HR 106, supporting the Native Hawaiian Intellectual Property Working Group’s request for more resources and a timeline extension to fiscal year 2026-2027. The Office of Hawaiian Affairs testified in support, saying Native Hawaiian culture, traditional knowledge, and cultural expressions are increasingly being commercialized and exploited without adequate protection, and that the working group needs more time, resources, and community consultation to complete its work. The committee noted six supporters and no opposition or comments. The hearing also covered HCR 193 and HR 183, which would establish a court security and Department of Law Enforcement capacity working group to address staffing shortages and the use of private security at state courts. The Judiciary supported the intent, asked that the working group supplement rather than replace its budget request, and proposed allowing the chair to add members with relevant experience. In response to questions, Judiciary said it has requested $3.25 million for armed private security, which it said would cover about 18 contracted individuals, though with significant company overhead. The committee then moved through several bills: SB 2667, which restricts certain commercial vehicles and trailers from the far-left lane on multi-lane roads, received support from the Department of Transportation; SB 2851, which allows deaf vehicle owners to register a deafness designation for law enforcement access, drew testimony in support; SB 2521, which updates emergency vehicle rules and exempts EMS personnel from CDL requirements, received testimony from Honolulu Emergency Services; and SB 2466, which would make the Chief Elections Officer terminable only for cause, drew support from the League of Women Voters and opposition from Hawaiian Islands Republican Women, who argued the change could reduce accountability and create election disruptions if litigation over termination occurs.

Transcript Highlights:

• I rise to request that AB 28 be taken off the inactive file at the request of the author.
• I have a question of the author. Will the author accept a question? Yes? Please.
• Well, first of all, will the author take another question?
• , and interim county executive in Sacramento County.
• He also served as CAO for Alameda County and interim county executive in Sacramento County, where he

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• for the county jail overflow.
• Do all the, you know, with this Bismarck, Burleigh County, Grand Forks, McKenzie County, and Rugby all
• Who would be covering which facilities for the county jails?
• They're all considered in the county jails.
• They're all considered in the county jails. Okay, okay.

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The committee first took up Senate Bill 2399, concerning therapeutic leave days for psychiatric residential treatment facilities (PRTFs). Sarah Aker from the Department of Health and Human Services explained the current Medicaid rate-setting methodology, how occupancy affects rates, and why paying the full rate for leave days would create additional fiscal impact. Members debated whether the bill should pay the full Medicaid rate, a flat reduced rate, or a tiered rate, and discussed whether a cap or department authorization should be used to control use of leave days. The department said it was not supporting the change as it was not in the governor’s budget, though it supported family engagement in care. After discussion, the committee settled on a compromise motion to set therapeutic leave days at a $500 daily rate and require department authorization of the number of leave days. The motion passed 6-2, with Representative Anderson voting no and the rest of the recorded members voting yes. The committee then moved on to Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation budget materials, where Michelle Zander walked through detailed population and rate calculations for women’s and men’s facilities, county holds, deferred admissions, transitional facilities, work release, and proposed reentry, man camp, and Grand Forks-related costs. Members asked about the county jail reimbursement rates and the overall pool of funds, and Zander explained the calculations and noted the proposal was roughly break-even depending on assumptions. The committee also heard an overview of DOCR IT requests from Amy and NDIT staff, including data processing, medical modules, a new client management system, body scanners, data management tools, facility management software, medical software upgrades, college solutions, and body cameras/tasers. Staff explained that the new client management system would likely be a multi-phase project with a wide cost range based on vendor selection and scope, and that the current request was for phase one. Members emphasized the importance of better data tracking, staff safety tools, and information that could help explain programming and release outcomes to the public. The committee planned to continue with Veterans Affairs the next day and then return to Senate Bill 2015.

Transcript Highlights:

• We've been in 12 different counties, most of your constituencies here.
• duties, if you will, the DMV duties, in 65 of those counties.
• duties, if you will, the DMV duties in 65 of those counties.
• There are two counties in South Florida, Miami-Dade, in Broward. of those counties, there are two counties
• We have leases signed in both Polk County at Lakeland Linder and here in Leon County at Tallahassee International

Summary: The committee met to review agency program funding as it prepared to build the budget, hearing brief presentations from six agencies and then taking member questions. Florida Division of Emergency Management highlighted its role in response, preparedness, recovery, and mitigation, describing a largely federal pass-through budget, major technology investments, and large disaster and preparedness grant activity. The Department of Commerce, Department of State, Florida Housing Finance Corporation, Department of Transportation, Department of Military Affairs, Florida State Guard, and Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles also summarized their budgets, staffing, and major programs, including workforce and economic development, elections and arts funding, housing assistance, transportation work programs, military readiness, state guard expansion, and highway safety and motorist services. Members focused questions on several issues: arts and library grant funding and whether award criteria had changed; Commerce’s rural infrastructure and job growth grants and why funds were not being disbursed faster; Florida Housing’s use of SAIL, Live Local, Hometown Heroes, and SHIP funds and how smaller agencies learn about and access funding; and DOT’s work program gap between agency and governor proposals. The most extensive questioning was directed to Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles about long DMV lines, vacancies, overtime, staffing shortages, and the ability to shift funds between divisions. The department said staffing and pay constraints, especially in South Florida, were driving service delays and vacancy rates, and that overtime was being used because troopers were leaving for better-paying jobs. The Florida State Guard was also questioned about its spending and procurement pace, including aircraft purchases and facilities. Its director said long procurement timelines explained the low initial spending and that obligations had risen sharply as contracts matured. Members also asked about the department’s public opposition to Amendment 3 and whether agency resources were used in that effort; the director said no contracts or purchases were made to influence the vote and said the colonel’s comments were made off the clock. The meeting ended with the chair asking agencies to respond promptly to unanswered questions, and the committee adjourned without any recorded votes or formal actions beyond receiving the presentations and questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Association of Minnesota Counties represents all of Minnesota's 87 county governments in the state
• The Association of Minnesota Counties represents all of Minnesota's 87 county governments in the state
• The Association of Minnesota Counties represents all of Minnesota's 87 county governments in the state
• The Association of Minnesota Counties represents all of Minnesota's 87 county governments in the state
• </c><01:19:46.600><c> it</c><01:19:46.760><c> cost</c> County operations if one County it cost County

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Now, after meeting with our counties this year, counties are doing it two or three different ways.
• the county.
• Some counties kept it and used it.
• Other counties have told me that they have it backed up. Some counties have sent it very few.
• No, at that point it would be held by the county. Still be at the county.

Keywords: 994, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Finance Committee met with a quorum, approved the minutes from the prior meeting, and heard budget presentations from the Secretary of State, the Attorney General, and the State Auditor. The Secretary of State’s office described its FY27 budget, emphasizing efficiency gains from technology, election security work, and business services. It said it is operating with fewer staff than a decade ago, but rising costs and outdated statutory fees are creating deficits in service of process and other operations. The office asked the committee to consider either increasing fees or allowing it to retain a larger share of business-service revenue, and it also proposed creating an Office of Entrepreneurship to help small businesses navigate state government, grants, permits, and related services. Committee members questioned the Secretary of State’s office about fee increases, the current 50-50 split of certain revenues with general revenue, and whether the proposed entrepreneurship office would duplicate existing services. The office said it would complement, not replace, Commerce, SBDC, or grant programs, and would report metrics and policy recommendations to the legislature. The Attorney General then requested a one-time $2 million special revenue appropriation to hire additional lawyers and support staff, citing increased litigation, federal and state legal work, and the need to defend new laws. He also discussed embedded DMV lawyers handling DUI revocation hearings and said the arrangement costs the office just over $200,000. The State Auditor reported that his office is largely self-funded through special revenue and said he wants to reduce reliance on general revenue over time. He highlighted savings from renegotiated leases and an open government contract, discussed the need for more auditors in the Chief Inspector’s Division, and described fraud recovery and P-card operations. A major topic was delinquent land sales: the auditor said the office sold about 17,000 parcels last year and believes online bidding and better marketing could generate substantially more revenue, with the surplus potentially shared among counties, the state, and other programs. Members also asked about securities fee changes, fairness hearings, fire department audits, IT/cybersecurity, and how surplus proceeds from delinquent land sales should be handled. The committee adjourned after the presentations and questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• It means if a county It means if a county wishes to pursue these funds, they have to impose a minimum
• And in fact, in those counties where the state has made investments and the counties have taken on that
• So one county or one community...
• And, you know, Sheridan County is now looking again. And Sheridan County is now looking again.
• Teton County.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh I represent two hardship<00:50:12.720><c> counties,</c> hardship counties, hardship counties, one<
• </c> and hardship county. and hardship county.
• </c> counties.
• It's not the rich counties counties.
• So that is a cut to<01:30:26.000><c> the</c><01:30:26.159><c> counties</c> to the counties to the counties

Keywords: 916, all